Her music is centered on her singing, in a fairly low register and a traditional bluesy-jazz style, and her piano playing, which is technically accomplished. Her repertoire includes many of her own compositions, but also a selection of standards drawn mostly from the classic-rock genre; examples include "Ode to Billie Joe," "A Taste of Honey," and "Black Magic Woman." She is known for her apparent above-average intelligence and vocabulary, which results in complex and witty lyrics. Her last album to date, Mythologies is a set of songs based on Ovid's Metamorphoses. In September 2008, Patricia is releasing "The Cole Porter Mix," a collection of Patricia's renditions of the Porter songbook along with three Barber originals inspired by Cole Porter.
Patricia Barber is a lesbian. Interviews with her suggests that she does not try to hide this fact, but that she 'tires' of the public interest in her sexuality – disliking the fact that it contributes to her fame.
Her albums Cafe Blue, Modern Cool, Companion, Nightclub, Verse have been reissued by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab on SACD and limited edition 45 rpm 1/2 speed mastered, 180 gram audiophile vinyl.
Yesterdays
Patricia Barber Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now it looks as though they're here to stay
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Suddenly, I'm not half to man I used to be,
There's a shadow hanging over me.
Oh, yesterday came suddenly.
I said something wrong, now I long for yesterday.
Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play.
Now I need a place to hide away.
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Why she had to go I don't know she wouldn't say.
I said something wrong, now I long for yesterday.
Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play.
Now I need a place to hide away.
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
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In Patricia Barber's rendition of The Beatles classic "Yesterday", the lyrics are ambiguous and open to interpretation. On the surface, the song appears to be about lost love and longing for the past. The opening lines "Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away, now it looks as though they're here to stay" set the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is reminiscing about a time when things were easier and carefree, but now feels burdened and weighed down.
The line "Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be, there's a shadow hanging over me" adds to the melancholic tone of the song. The singer's sense of self is diminished and they feel overcome with a sense of darkness. The bridge, "Why she had to go I don't know, she wouldn't say. I said something wrong, now I long for yesterday" suggests that there was some kind of argument or mistake that led to the end of the relationship, and the singer is left with regret and a desire to go back in time to fix things.
However, Barber's interpretation adds a layer of complexity to the song. Her slow and deliberate delivery of the lyrics highlights the pain and emotion behind the words. The dreamy quality of the piano and subtle instrumental nuances throughout the song convey a sense of longing that goes beyond lost love. The repeated phrase "Oh, I believe in yesterday" takes on a deeper meaning – it's not just about believing in the past, but about holding onto the memory of something that has been lost, something intangible and elusive.
Overall, Patricia Barber's version of "Yesterday" is a poignant and introspective take on a classic song. It delves into the emotional complexities of loss and regret, and invites the listener to reflect on their own experiences of longing for something that is no longer within reach.
Line by Line Meaning
Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away
In the past, I thought I had overcome all of my problems and was at peace.
Now it looks as though they're here to stay
Unfortunately, it seems like my troubles have not ended and I have to face them every day.
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
I still hold onto the memory of when things were easier because it gives me hope for the future.
Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be
I feel like I've lost a part of myself and I'm not as strong as I once was.
There's a shadow hanging over me.
I feel weighed down by something I can't quite explain - a darkness that follows me wherever I go.
Oh, yesterday came suddenly.
The change from my past life to my current state happened quickly and unexpectedly.
Why she had to go I don't know she wouldn't say.
I can't understand why someone important to me left and they won't tell me why.
I said something wrong, now I long for yesterday.
I made a mistake that may have caused someone's departure, and I wish I could go back in time to fix it.
Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play.
In the past, love came to me easily and I didn't have to try as hard to maintain relationships.
Now I need a place to hide away.
Currently, I feel exposed and vulnerable and need a safe space to retreat to.
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This is a musical interlude and does not have any lyrics or meaning.
Contributed by Adrian G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
TrabassVideo
Really like her interpretation, both in singing as in playing the piano. I understand that not everybody will like it as people sing a song in a different way as they know it, but..this is jazz and this is what jazz is about!
alfred kuhn
Unbelievably unbelievable. Why haven't we heard more by or of her? alkuhn1
Kevin Corr
Hear her masterpiece Modern Cool, and her live albums.
James C
Nah, she hasn't got it , she will never have it, she was not born with what it takes to convey emotion.
Josef Herrmann
Well, i'm sure that you've got it. The question is: what?
lin wu
脑残
Larry Paris
Whoa...
Vic Glazer
By the way, whatever she was born with, she has fans all over the world and has sold more albums than you have hair on your head.
Vic Glazer
I guess the old adage is correct. Opinions are like assholes....everybody has them and some stink!
This is MY OPINION!!